Your picks : Worst and Best 2003 release films and REASON/s why

[Gary5]

It might be a week early, but hopefully this thread will continue for
a couple weeks. Please name your picks of the 1 - 5 WORST and 1 - 5 BEST film/s of 2003, you saw at the cinema, stating your reason/s why, for any particular pick/s. If you want to name more than that, saying why for each one, please do.

If any particular film was released in cinemas in 2003 and also
released on dvd this year (which is how you may have seen it for the first the time), that's ok.

[Sad man]

BEST

1) Dogville (9/10)
Lars Von Trier is a wonderful director. Not all of his films are great, but I can't deny that they are very stylish and uncommon. This movie was an amazing movie experience. The message was very powerfull and made me feel sick. I won't spoil it for you though. Of course, excellent performances from all the members of the cast. I hope Nicole Kidman gets an Oscar nomination, if this flick is considered a 2004 movie. My favourite from the supporting cast was Patricia Clarkson, yet another flawless performance by this woman.

2) MAY (9/10)
This movie came out of nowhere and blew my mind. A dark story but with lots of cuteness and weirdness all around. Very interesting characters, played very well by it's actors. I'm really glad most of the schmoes liked this movie. Angela Bettis, Anna Faris, Jeremy Sisto...A threesome of talent.

3) Thirteen (8.5/10)
A simple but very true story. A great script as well as a great direction. I have my fingers crossed for little Evan Rachel Wood. She really deserves the Oscar nomination. Holly Hunter deserves it also, but for Supporting Actress. I think I loved this movie so much because I can connect to the main character. I have had lots of experiences like her.

4) Finding Nemo (8/10)
There's not much to say. I think this is one of the best animated movies ever. Not as good as The Nightmare Before Christmas but still very good. Funny, cute, smart, just great.

5) Mystic River (8/10)
I didn't have much hope for this movie, but it surprised me. A normal and simple story that turns into one Hell of a drama. Sean Penn, Marcia Gay Harden and Tim Robbins are the best of the bunch. They all deserve the Oscar nomination and I'll be very glad if any of them win.

Runner ups: 28 Days Later - Willard - Kill Bill - Down With Love

WORST

1) Irreversible (2.5/10)
Nice and stylish direction. Gross and irrelevant story. There was no need to be so raw IMO. I really liked the last half hour of the movie though. I really need to check this out again, I might like it on a second viewing.

2) The Hulk (2.8/10)
Lame story, pathetic acting, bad direction, really bad visual effects. There's nothing else to say.

3) Vivir Intentando (2.8/10)
Argentinian movie about a group of pop singers. Think about a Spice World but worse. Everything is bad.

4) Daredevil (3/10)
Probably the worst superhero movie. Everything was a joke.

5) Darkness Falls (3/10)
There's no need to explain. This movie sucked!

Runner ups: Tears of the Sun - House of the Dead - Dumb and Dumberer - Hollywood Homicide

[Sigur509]

Kill Bill(10/10)

Was the best picture of the year IMO. I love QT style, the blood the gore, UMA, and everything about this movie. It was also the most fun I have had at the movies in a long time. Cant friggen wait for Vol. 2, and for Vol. 1 to come on DVD. There was only a small thing I did not ebjoy about it, and that was that there was not that great QT dialogue I was hoping for, other than that, very, very good movie.

[jolanar]

Best

1. Return of the King - Nuff Said

2. The Last Samurai - Nuff said

3. X2 - Nuff said

4. Kill Bill - Nuff said

5. Terminator 3 - Nuff said

Worst

1. The Hulk

2. Daredevil

3. Finding Nemo

[Golden Badtz]

Best:

The Last Samurai (10/10)
Very suprising, well crafted, nicely shot/directed with great acting from everyone, good stroy/nice script, there is nothing about this film not to like

Kill Bill Vol.1 (10/10)
QT's latest materpiece, it's perfect, nothing else needs to be added

Holes (9/10)
This was a just a fun, well acted film filled with teens that have good chemistry between each other and staring the irresitible Shia LaBoeuf (sp?)

Mystic River (9/10)
Great movie, good soundtrack, nicely directing and trully touching at some moments

The Rundown (9/10)
Biggest suprise of the year, a good movie with a good cast and nice action scenes, I got to love the Rock and made me look forward to Walking Tall

Worst:

Just Married (3/10)
We all hate Kutcher and all know Murphy can't act.. gee.. this movie was great !

Uptown Girls (3/10)
What the fuckin point of making such a ... ...

Darkness Falls (3/10)
Movies like this shouldn't be made.

Dumb and Dumberer (2/10)
The worst movie ever, currently holds #1 in my top 5 worst movies of all time.

[Hannibal21]

BEST:

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The first one was a masterpiece, the second decent but disappointing, and this one...........definitely better than the first two. Wow, wow, and wow. Superb acting from everyone in the cast, amazing special effects and action sequences, but not with warmth or heart. High emotional content that really hits home, particularly the Sam and Frodo's friendship. Tearjerking moments that could make a lion cry like a baby and just overall, one of the greatest cinematic experiences.

2. Lost in Translation - Beautiful and bittersweet are the perfect words to describe this film. After the severely disappointing Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola succeeded in creating one of the funniest, romantic films of the new millenium. Bill Murray is at his best here, this film just goes to show that he can be a wonderful dramatic actor as well. His chemistry with Scarlett Johanssen works on every level and their romance is just plain unique and heartwarming, without ever having to be melodramatic or over-the-top. Oh, and that ending......just gets to me every time (if you see it, you'd know what I mean). 9/10

3. City of God - A very stylish, realistic film that really gives us an outlook at gangsters (located in Rio de Janero) and their life; sort of a Brazilian version of 'Goodfellas'....it's beautifully filmed and establishes terrifically frightening villanis (Lil'Ze is the most dangerous gangster you have ever seen since Tommy DeVito) and their relationship with the 'good guys' in that dangerous, intriguing place. 9/10

4. Dogville - I agree with what Sad man said. Patricia Clarkson and Nicole Kidman gave the best performances in this film, just amazing. 9/10

5. Willard - Disturbing and scary in every way you look at it. It's not just a regular, ordinary tale of rats....but it's also a pretty powerful character study of us humans and the need for friends, the thirst for revenge, and our relationship, good or bad, with certain species in the open world. It's sad and the dark tone of the movie blends in perfectly with the story. Crispin Glover, needless to say, was fucking fantastic as Willard. 9/10

WORST:

1. From Justin to Kelly - NUFF SAID. I'd rather be skewered and fried, and then eaten by a pack of wild boars, then watch this travesty of a 'film' again.... 1/10

2. Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star - Plain annoying, stupid, and pointless. But that's what you get when you're watching a David Spade (Satan) movie. 2.5/10

3. Scary Movie 3 - Pointless, unfunny, unbearable.......nuff said. 3/10

4. Freddy vs. Jason - I'm a big fan of the Jason and Freddy flicks, they're some of my biggest guilty pleasures. But THIS..........atrocious acting, laughably bad dialogue, and the fact that it made Jason and Freddy seem like Tom and Jerry is a fucking insult to the series, give me a horror movie with at least SOME scares dammit! :mad: However, I was kind of entertained so....... 4/10

5. Holes - I liked the book a lot. My expectations for this film were quite low, and that's how the movie turned out. It ran overlong, was boring even for a family film, doesn't have the magic the book had (not even close in fact) and oy don't get me started on the "acting". :rolleyes: 4/10

[Sad man]

Originally posted by Hannibal21

3. Dogville - I agree with what Sad man said. Patricia Clarkson and Nicole Kidman gave the best performances in this film, just amazing. 9/10

Why thank you. :)

I have to add House of the Dead and sadly Russian Ark to the WORST list. Both 3/10.

[platanero79]

1. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 10/10
2. May 9/10
3. X2 8.5/10
4. 28 days later 8.5/10
5. Final Destination 2 8/10
6. Phone Booth 8/10
7. Old School 8/10
8. T3 8/10
9. Mystic River 8/10
10. Daredevil 7.5/10

Some others Good films. Bad Santa 7.5/10 Cowboy bebop 7.5/10 The Hulk 7/10 Hitler: The Rise of Evil 7/10 (TV) The Life of David Gale 7/10 Lost in Translation 7/10 The Matrix Reloaded 7/10 A Decade under the Influence 7/10 (DOC) The Recruit 7/10

Some others Decent films. Naked World 5.5/10 (DOC) Born Rich 6/10 (DOC) The Core 6/10 Bruce Almighty 6/10 Dysfunctional Family 6/10 The Matrix Revolutions 6.5/10

10. Anger Management 5.5/10
9. Scary Movie 3 5/10
8. National Security 5/10
7. Basic 5/10
6. Tears of the Sun 5/10
5. Identity 5/10
4. Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle 4.5/10
3. Dreamcatcher 4/10
2. Darkness Falls 3.5/10
1.Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd 2/10

[The Heart Collector]

1. The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King
2. Kill Bill: Volume 1
3. 28 Days Later

_______________________

The rest I saw (not much) was OK, nothing too great.

[heretic]

I'm surprised to see no mention of Gigli in this thread so far

[mattjk_17]

Originally posted by heretic
I'm surprised to see no mention of Gigli in this thread so far

Probably because nobody here is mad enough to watch it ;)

[Backstabba]

Im just about to rent gigli it on netflix....:D

[A.J. Hakari]

On a **** scale...

The Best:

1. HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT - **** - An amazing and brilliant French film which tells two very different stories with very
different views on romance.

2. WILLARD - *** 1/2 - A riveting and creepy horror film that
transcends the genre and becomes a brilliant character study.
Crispin Glover gives the performance of the year.

3. X2: X-MEN UNITED - *** 1/2 - One of the best superhero films
ever. Tops the original in action, excitement, acting, character
development, effects, and virtually every other department.

4. KILL BILL: VOL. 1 - *** 1/2 - Quentin Tarantino's ode to the
revenge film is brutal, bloody, intensely stylized, and wonderfully
artistic.

5. THE LAST SAMURAI - *** 1/2 - A sweeping, touching, and fully-
realized epic with solid acting, beautiful cinematography, and well-
captured battle scenes.

6. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING - *** 1/2 - Peter Jackson's labor of love comes to a close with this thrilling,
tragic, and epic final chapter in the LOTR saga.

7. SPUN - *** 1/2 - A fast-paced and frantic dramedy about a day or so in the lives of meth addicts. Not quite an American
TRAINSPOTTING, but the film perfectly captures the erratic world of
its characters.

8. IRREVERSIBLE - *** 1/2 - An unforgivably shocking and brutal
picture with images of violence that made me flinch. That being
said, I praise director Gaspar Noe for never making the film come
off as exploitative, delivering a 90-minute portrait of what pure
evil men are capable of.

9. MAY - *** 1/2 - Like WILLARD, it's a moody, atmospheric, and
creepy as hell horror film that is in itself a fascinating character
study, highlighted by a brilliant performance by Angela Bettis as a
social outcast who finds the world isn't quick to accept her
weirdness.

10. BETTER LUCK TOMORROW - *** 1/2 - A stylish, intelligent, and
well-acted drama about the reprecussions straight-arrow students feel after acting out their impulses to do something wrong for once in their lives.

Runners-Up:

THE GOOD THIEF
MATCHSTICK MEN
THE MATRIX RELOADED
RAISING VICTOR VARGAS
TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES

The Worst:

1. UPTOWN GIRLS - no stars - One of the most inept "comedies" I've ever seen, with two of the most vile, unlikable characters ever seen in a film.

2. FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY - no stars - Need I say more?

3. MY BOSS'S DAUGHTER - 1/2 * - Oh, yes, jokes about rape, abuse, suicide, and breast cancer are just hilarious. :rolleyes:

4. NATIONAL SECURITY - * - Proof positive that Martin Lawrence just needs to stop. Please.

5. DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR - * - I like David Spade in brief appearances on "SNL" reruns. For 90 minutes, playing an
irritating character in an unfunny story, I tend not to like him as
much.

6. DUMB AND DUMBERER: WHEN HARRY MET LLOYD - * - An all-around moronic comedy and desecration of a genre classic.

7. THE FOREIGNER - * - A slow, dumb, and actionless dud; why is
Steven Seagal still working?

8. OUT FOR A KILL - * - See THE FOREIGNER.

9. BOAT TRIP - * - "Perfect Strangers" had more original jokes than this one-trick pony that should've been turned into glue.

10. IN HELL - * - See THE FOREIGNER, but use Jean-Claude Van Damme instead of Seagal.

Runners-Up:

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE
GOOD BOY!
HAGGARD
THE REAL CANCUN
VIEW FROM THE TOP

[flowrchild]

Best Movies: (all 9/10)

1) Kill Bill- Volume 1: The latest masterpiece by Tarantino. Most fun I've had in the theaters for the last 5 years. It's got style, wit, violence, excitement, and fun. Entertainment at its best.

2) 21 Grams: One of the most riveting movies of the year. It grabbed me from the first few minutes and never let me go. The acting is top notch, and it's a shame that all 3 leads aren't getting the nominations they deserve.

3) In America: Completely moved and melted my heart. I could not stop crying and there wasn't a dry eye in the theater. This is the type of magical beautiful sentimental movie that Hollywood tries to make over and over again but fails miserably. This one hit the nail on the head.

4) City Of God: It's been close to a year since I last saw it, but I still remember what a kick-ass stylish romp it was. It reminds me of a Brazilian version of Goodfellas with the music and flair of Boogie Nights. Fans of Scorcese and PTA should see this film. Not for the faint of heart.

5) The Magdalene Sisters: Extremely powerful and intense film about the brutality and cruelty of extensions of the Church. This is not a big-name cast but the acting was superb and it lingered in my mind for months.

Worst Movies: (all 3-4/10)

1) Levity: One of the most pretentious snorefests I've had the disservice of watching in the last year. If there was one more long drawn out silence, I think I might have slit my wrists. Not an interesting or complex character in sight. Bleh.

2) Life Of David Gale: An incoherent contradictory political disaster. It's the type of movie that is horrible when you are watching it, but it gets even worse in retrospect. I have so many problems with this movie that I don't even know where to start. Just do yourself a favor and skip it.

3) Gerry: I am beginning to think that "Good Will Hunting" was a fluke. Van Sant's career has gone in a direction that it should have stayed far away from. This is an experimental film about 2 pathetically boring men hiking around. That's it. Oh yea, and there is about 10 minutes of dialogue in the entire film, tops. Great cure for insomnia.

4) Bringing Down The House: It's a very sad thing when you watch a comedy and it does not make you laugh ONCE. Even one part that was funny in the trailer, fell flat in the movie. I wanted to walk out of it early but my friend made me stay because she thought it would get better. She later apologized.

5) Gothika: Beyond awful. My love for Robert Downey Jr couldn't even redeem any element of the film for me. Supernatural fantastical train-wreck with some of the worst dialogue imaginable. Baaaad.

[blankpage]

My Top 5 of 2003 (pretty muched locked up)...


1.) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Every once in a while, cinematic history is made. There've been many throughout many decades; The Godfather, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, etc. Well, this year, it's happened again. The release of 'Return of the King' is one that will be remembered for years to come. And rightly so. It's a big, beautiful and amazing epic. It brought tears to my eyes, and moved me in a way I don't think has ever happened to me. Even upon second viewing I was amazed. The film has a sentimental value for me as well. Especially between Frodo and Sam. 'Return of the King' is not only the best film of the year, but one of the best films of all-time.

2.) Kill Bill: Volume One
Oh yeah, he's back, baby! With probably the most entertaing and fun movie of the year, Tarantino's 'Kill Bill' is a fun, bold, twisted, bloody brilliant movie. I saw this puppy twice in 3 days and wanted more! It's everything you'd want from QT- violence, humour, and good ol' fun. Bring of Volume Two!

3.) Matchstick Men
I was quite surprised with this film. Prior to it, I was looking forward, but I didn't expect it to be an excellent, brilliant film. I walked out of this movie with a big old grin, and a 10/10 rating. The first I gave all year. Nic Cage is just fabulous as the nervous and neurotic hero. With a nice tiwst, and a nice ending, 'Matchstick Men' has proved to be one of those modern day classics.

4.) Lost in Translation
A bittersweet and amazing film. I don't think I looked at my watch once during this film. It was a surreal touch, but is amazing to watch. The dazzling setting, and the dazzling look. I was 'lost' with this movie...but in a good way. A sad, but funny movie that'll leave you breathless.

5.) The Barbarion Invasions
This is my pic for the most sad and haunting film all year. A powerful and moving film that had me at tears at the end. A brilliant score, that adds to its haunting touch. A movie about life, and its effects. This is one to be seen by all.


The Worst...

1.) Mona Lisa Smile- Cliched crap that left me at tears....for paying to see this.
2.) The Core- A good disaster movie? Don't look here, in fact, if you're looking for a good movie...certainly don't look here.
3.) Rugrats Go Wild!- Yeah.....no.
4.) Cradle 2 the Grave- Wow..ganster thug shite...NO THANKS!
5.) Tears of the Sun- I liked it better when it was called Platoon, and even that was bad!

[alexx]

1 Phone Booth
...because it was original and smart
...because Colin Farrell was in it
...because it had great dialogue
...because it was intense without action

2 Daredevil
...because it was dark and sad
...because it wasn't your ordinary superhero flick
...because Colin Farrell was in it
...because Jennifer Garner was in it
...because it was just a great time (seven great times, precisely)

3 Final Destination 2
...because it shocked me
...because it had great deaths
...because it expanded the story from FD1
...because I often think back to it (dentist, anyone?)

4 Finding Nemo
...because it was sweet
...because it was funny
...because it was lovely
...because it was all other words expressing its sweetness

5 Terminator 3
...because it was sequel to T2
...because Kristanna Loken was in it
...because it was intense
...because it was not taking itself too serious

IN ADDITION:
Spirited Away would be #2 (it was released in Germany in 2003)
Basic was great, but I still don't get the logic...

WORST
2 Identity
It didn't suck, but it only pretended to be smart. You try to figure out the solution, but the writers didn't have one theirselves...

1 The Hunted
This one sucked. Who cared about anything in this boring movie? Those charcters weren't characters! I don't want to remember...

[Razorblade Smile]

I am shocked an appaled that THIS rancid pile of yak cheese hasn't made the Top 10 of the WORST of 2003 yet.



http://www.crankycritic.com/archive03/posters/kangaroojack.jpg

[jeo4]

Kings of the Hill:

1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
This film is the fantasy oscar contender. Here's hoping. There were no bad performances in this film.

2. FINDING NEMO - Hilarious. I loved it. Dory (Ellen Degeneres) was a scream. Pixar never ceases to amaze me.

3. 28 DAYS LATER - Critics be damned. I loved this film. Great horror flick.

4. TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES - Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kristanna Lokken tangle for the life of John Conner.

5. X2: X-MEN UNITED - Better than I expected.

Bottom of the barrel:

1. THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE - Oh goody! A story about somebody on death row who is against death row! Oh JOY! I expect much better from Kevin Spacey. This steaming pile of "poor me" was ripe with terrible writing, bad acting, bad dialogue...you name it. I'm not much for these preachy, righteous little pieces of trash that come out with a message for us all to "learn by". It tried, it failed miserably.

2. LEGALLY BLONDE 2: RED WHITE & BLONDE - Good God, how I hate Reese Witherspoon. It was completely terrible. I couldn't watch even five minutes of it without wanting to stop the show.

3. THE HUNTED - Started with promise, ended with a nap.

4. IDENTITY - Words fail me for how awful this film was.

5. DARKNESS FALLS - Not bad, but not great either.

[Sublime]

BEST

1. Kill Bill: Volume One - 10/10
The best film of this decade so far, I was just completey overhwhelmed after I saw it. Well crafted and well told mixed in with just enough style.

2. Matchstick Men - 9/10
Another great film with a superb performance by Nicolas Cage. I enjoyed every minute of it even the "cliched" twist.

3. The Last Samurai - 9/10
Visually stunning and beautiful cinematography plus a great performance not by Tom Cruise, but by Ken Wantanbe.

4. Phone Booth - 9/10
This still remains close to number one after many months of great movies. It's not a typical thriller or movie for that matter.

5. Spun - 8/10
Highly original and fun ride. The ensemble cast was hilarious and Mickey Rourke actually is cool again.



WORST

1. From Justin To Kelly - 0/10
Maybe the worst film I've ever seen. It was so bland, and distraught it made me laugh. In an attempt to make money the American Idolers fail.

2. Wrong Turn - 2/10
Ridiculous, stupid, stupid, stupid plot. Horrible villians and horrible performances by no names. Typical horror movie but with the worst villains I've ever seen.

3. The Medallion - 2/10
Again, a stupid plot. Jackie Chan used to make a few good movies back in the day and now he's just trying to get some cold cash.

4. Out For A Kill - 3/10
STV Steven Segal flick which tries to be a good action film. But with so many stolen ideas and cliches it doesn't work...at all.

5. Darkness Falls - 3/10
Another goofy horror movie with a horrible villian....The Tooth Fairy. C'mon get some original ideas.

[TheElephants]

I haven't really seen any films that qualify for Worst of 2003. I've avoided all of them, heh.

Best/Favories? That I can do. Honorable Mention goes out to Kill Bill Vol. 1, which missed by *this much*.

5) X2
-- Probably an even better comic book movie than Spider-Man. I enjoyed it immensely. The action scenes were awe-inspiring, especially any with Pyro in it. Great acting as well.

4) Finding Nemo
-- Pixar does it again. Some of the most beautiful animation you will ever see, great voice acting(especially by Ellen Degeneres) and just a great plot make this a must see animated film.

3) The Last Samurai
-- A movie that truly gives new meaning to the word "awesome", highlighted by some of the best scenery you will ever see in a movie, breathtaking fight scenes, an enthralling soundtrack and a wonderful performance by Ken Watanabe.

2) Mystic River
-- Any other year and you can bet your ass this would be #1. A great mystery movie with one of the best casts not just of the year, but of all time(come on, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden, Lawrence Fishburne, Laura Linney and a host of others..wake me if another cast not from the Lord Of The Rings is better) and great direction by Clint Eastwood. Perfect in almost every aspect.

1) Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King
-- As if there was ANY doubt. You need me to give you a reason? Well, here's one: This is a once in a lifetime movie experience. If you haven't seen this movie yet, GET UP OFF OF YOUR ASS AND SEE IT. It is that good.